Personal Care Market in India 2012

Indian FMCG industry constitutes the largest segment in India with considerable contribution to the GDP. It can be categorized into primarily personal care, health care, home care and food and beverage. In India, personal care products traditionally only comprised of toothpaste, soaps and shampoos. However, cosmetics such as beauty creams and lotions or even oral care products such as mouthwash are fast gaining popularity in the personal care market. Expenditure on these emerging products has shown exponential growth. Media penetration and rising consciousness to global fashion and trends have sculpted the course of consumer spending. Acted upon by the availability of international products and aided with rising disposable income, the sector is poised for further growth.

The report begins with an overview of the FMCG industry in India providing the market size and growth as well as information regarding its contribution to GDP in India. This is followed by a primary segmentation of the industry. An overview of the personal care market provides an introduction to the sector and covers the market size and growth in India. An analysis of the value chain has been included which is followed by a snapshot of the various distribution channels players opt for in the personal care market. An EXIM trend over a period of five years is included which precedes a Porter’s Five Forces analysis that concludes the section.

The next section deals with the segmentation of the personal care market. Each of the six sub-segments that the sector comprises of is discussed and includes skin care, hair care, oral care, color cosmetics, bath and shower as well as fragrances.

An analysis of the drivers explains the factors for growth of the market and includes increase in disposable income, growth in men’s grooming segment, increase in awareness, growth in rural segment and rise in organized retail. Personal care products do not really fall within the purview of necessities barring a few. Due to international products making a beeline in the Indian market, some are more often being termed as luxury products. Intensive research and development has allowed players to improvise on existing products towards catering to customized needs of consumers.

An increase in disposable income at the hands of people acts as the primary driving force in this sector as people have the capacity to spend on such products. Another reason for growth is the emergence of the male grooming sector. Women category has always been a driving force, but the added percentage in terms of male segment has only furthered growth in this sector. As men pay more attention to their appearance and image, this category has attracted a host of products delineated strictly for their needs. Media penetration acts a chief stimulant in this aspect as it results in heightened awareness among the masses.

Players continue to advertise and look to provide promotional offers in order to create visibility and awareness regarding products to further off-takes. The rural segment has also played an imperative role in the markets growth story. Majority of India’s population resides in rural areas and the means to tap this segment spells higher margins. Indian Government has enforced certain regulations that contribute to growth in rural income. Growth in rural income, affecting this market, has been noticed in the usage of toothpaste from that of toothpowders. Rise in agricultural outputs aided with non-agricultural income is only to sculpt success for personal care sector. Further, organized retail poses as a chief driver especially in the urban segment. An organized retail presents with it an opportunity to showcase products, both domestic and international, on a larger platform. Availability and penetration of products determine a brand’s success which is aptly sourced through retail outlets. However, the sector is also facing certain challenges. Factors such as harmful effects of chemicals, depreciation of rupee and rise in packaging cost pose as impediments for this sector.

Government participation in this sector covers Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, Bureau of Indian Standards and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 2010. The major trends identified include innovation, personal care appliance, improved marketing strategies, products with dual benefits, rise in organic products and teens’ market.

The competition section offers a competitive landscape of the players by providing their financials and key financial ratios. It also provides basic information regarding the organizations. Key financial parameters constitute the financial performances of the players which are followed by business highlights. Strategic recommendations followed by appendix on key ratios comprise the concluding section of the report.